Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says finishing seventh will make it a 'fantastic' season for the club

Brendan Rodgers has attempted to temper expectation among Liverpool’s fans by
claiming that a top-seven Premier League finish would represent a
“fantastic” achievement in his first full season as manager.

A 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday provided some signs of encouragement but Liverpool remain in 13th place, 15 points behind Manchester United and further than ever from ending their 22-year wait for another league title.

“We finished eighth last year,” said Rodgers. “If we can improve on that, it’ll be fantastic for us. That’s the reality of where Liverpool are I’m afraid. I knew it would be a difficult year given the expectancy in Liverpool. But our young players will get better and better.

“They’re very educated, Liverpool supporters. It can’t be easy for them. Most of us know Liverpool and its great history, but we can’t keep looking in the rear view mirror and looking back. The supporters are being very lenient with myself and the team, and I’m sure they’ll be frustrated sometimes, but their support has been incredible.”

Rodgers admitted that the squad would need investment in January to add the “one or two” players to help turn so many draws – six in 11 Premier League games this season – into wins.

“The reality is we’re a long way off in the league,” said Rodgers. “I’m not going to say the word ‘challenging’. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see the squad. These guys are giving me everything. Look at Chelsea, with Eden Hazard and their investment.

“If you’re not going to have a massive investment to make it happen quickly, you have to develop it. That’s where we’re at. Those players don’t come cheap, and therer are not too many available in January either.

“We need materials. If we can get one or two in January, we’ll turn draws into wins. The owners have given me great support since I’ve been here.”

Despite Rodgers’ praise and optimism for the emerging players, the average age of Chelsea’s team on Sunday was actually younger at 25 years and 338 days than that of Liverpool (26 years 169 days).

That was clearly influenced by a first Premier League start to the season for Jamie Carragher, who performed strongly defensively and also provided the assist for Luis Suárez’s equaliser.

Rodgers described Carragher’s performance as “phenomenal” and said that he had been a model professional during his period out of the team.

“If I am picked, I give everything; it is down to the manager, he is the boss,” said Carragher. “I was surprised to be playing. I understand what stage in my career I’m at. I would never cause a problem but, if I’m asked, I’m ready.”